Sharks upend Coyotes 3-1

Sep 26, 2010 - 5:12 AM
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Patrick Marleau and Sean Sullivan each
scored less than a minute apart in the third period and the San
Jose Sharks defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 3-1 in a split-squad
game on Saturday night.

Marleau's goal broke a 1-1 tie late in the third period when he
was able to capitalize on Joe Pavelski's rushing shot from the
right side which rebounded perfectly to Marleau on the left side
and he tipped it past Coyotes goalie Matt Climie. It Marleau's
first goal of the preseason.

Sullivan added a goal 57 seconds later when he took Dany
Heatley's pass on a 3-on-2 play and fired it pass Climie.

It was San Jose's first win in four games of the preseason and
Phoenix's first loss in the Coyotes' five games.

Earlier in the evening in the other split-squad game, Phoenix
defeated San Jose 2-1.

For the second straight night, Antti Niemi played the first two
periods for the Sharks. He saved 18 of 19 shots. He was replaced
in the third by Alex Stalock.

The Coyotes scored midway through the first period when Shane
Doan deflected Keith Yandle's shot and worked it past Niemi. It
was Doan's second goal of the preseason.

San Jose tied the game early in the second when Heatley took a
rebound from Justin Braun and took a sidestep and pushed the
puck past Climie.